Does my Wested fit right?

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:22 pm

Just got my Wested today - Cowhide LC style. It's not quite what I expected. Most of it, I can learn to live with (the collar is just as large as I expected, but much... pointier than I thought it'd be). Some of it is still bugging me. In the first three pictures, it seems to fit fine. The last two pictures show what I'm most worried about. It seems really tight in the armpit. It was tight in the waist, too, but I loosened up the adjustment straps, and that made it better. Is it supposed to fit like this?

DOHERTYJAX · Post by **DOHERTYJAX** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:32 pm

The pics of the jacket unzipped look like it fits perfect. The last pic does make it look like its a little too small (when you lift your arm). I guess it all depends on what you plan on doing in the jacket. If it was me, and planned on keeping it, I would just wear it unzipped. I would think that over time, it would stretch out a bit.

Tron7960 · Post by **Tron7960** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:34 pm

I'm no expert, but I think it looks great, especially the fit!

Do You plan on distressing with water? I found that simple water distressing gave my collar a more desirable shape and improved the overall drape of the jacket.

Before:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2339/225 ... e0.jpg?v=0

After:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/226 ... 51.jpg?v=0

Either way, I think it looks good on you.

Tron

St. Dumas · Post by **St. Dumas** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:36 pm

An LC jacket in cowhide -- great choice. Does it feel more comfortable with the side straps loosened? Is that an 80's cut? And were the measurements you gave to Wested super-detailed, or just the usual measurements set out on the website?

Thanks.

SD

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:44 pm

Regular cut, but I think I asked for them to add 1/4 inch in the sleeves and add elastic between the pleats. Other than that, it's standard.

I was thinking about the 80's fit, but decided not to (good thing too). I also wasn't originally planning on distressing it in any way, but I think I'll try that water method.

The jacket is also a lot heavier than I expected. Up north, it'll be a great spring/fall jacket, and down south, a great winter jacket. Let's just hope that water helps

Titus Pulo · Post by **Titus Pulo** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:08 pm

The jacket looks good. I see a lot of jacket that look too short. Not yours.

ortiz344 · Post by **ortiz344** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:27 pm

maybe a little too long at the wasit and a little too tight around the chest?

Risu · Post by **Risu** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:32 pm

One word of warning for water distressing the collar: Don't pull on it too much. I distressed mine and I love how it changed the shape of the lapels and whatnot, but I stretched the neck out big time. It's Raiders SA, but it really takes away the nice look of the jacket. Going into distressing I thought that's what I wanted, but in retrospect I maybe should have taken it back a bit. That being said, I think it looks great, maybe some underarm gussets would fix the shoulder problem.

Post by **Holt** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:57 pm

looks good,a tad to long in the body...but that can also just be a optical illusion...maby you pants are a little to high in that picture?but i wonder what size it is?a 42?

bests
Holt

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:15 pm

It's a 42L. I was wearing my pants at my waist. The problem with the length is in my body, not the jacket. I'm 6'2" with most of that height coming from my legs. I've also got long arms to go with my long legs, so if it fits in the sleeves, it's long in the body.

Tron7960 · Post by **Tron7960** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:37 pm

As far as water distressing the collar goes, I just manipulated and formed/shaped the collar. No "stretching". I can see how that could lead you down a path of no return!

As to the length, as many have pointed out before, SA for a garment you will wear rather than just display is futile unless you are a Harrison Ford clone.
The body length in relation to the sleeve length looks good in the pictures. Also the scenes with Indy's jacket zipped up look like he's sporting a pretty snug fit to these eyes!

You also have to ask yourself how often you will zip up and put your arms over your head!

Tron

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:41 pm

I think I'm pretty happy with the fit after a few hours of wearing it after a good soaking. It may just take a little time for it to really grow on me.

Cigarro · Post by **Cigarro** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:23 am

unzipped it looks great...and that's probably how you'll wear it 99.99% of the time.
i can't remember the last time i zipped up my wested.

at 6'2" you are probably a hard fit for 42L...

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:43 am

I gotta be honest and sorry to say that it looks too long. If you compare the above shot with any shot from LC you will see for your self.

This looks to me like a blend of ROLA 80s cut with LC. It has the yoke of LC and snaps on storm flap, the body of ROLA long and the collar does not look neither LC nor ROLA to me.

Of course, I may be wrong...

CM · Post by CM » Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:35 am

I like your jacket. Fits pretty good. Possibly a little long but I wouldn't worry. Those pocket flaps are nice and beefy. Perhaps the actual pocket could have been a bit shorter and more square - like the film version. But, heck... I like it.

Cheers

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:25 am

Firstly I think it looks good.

It may be slightly tight in the chest but if it doesn't feel uncomfortable then ok... but it is more a raiders fit in the chest than a LC.

The length is perhaps slightly long for SA but slightly long is way better than slightly short.

Collar is GREAT dig around for the promo shots of Ford it really does look quite big in those.

Pockets... slightly tall but not too bad.

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:43 am

ortiz344 wrote:maybe a little too long at the wasit and a little too tight around the chest?

Those are my thoughts as well, however your torso may be shorter and belt line may be higher which could give the illusion that it's too short from front view I suppose. Maybe you could cinch down your pants a wee bit to give the illusion that it is not as long.

Do the front pockets look exceptionally long and narrow to anyone else

:

Rom Hunter · Post by **Rom Hunter** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:18 pm

IMO a little bit too long and a little bit too tight.

But nothing to worry about.

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:31 pm

MB- I'm 6'3 and 190 pounds...with long legs and monkey arms same as you...and your jacket looks exactly like how I want mine to fit me. -I actually might go longer in the sleeves. What's the measurement on the back length and the sleeves?

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:45 pm

Nice looking jacket. Perhaps a bit long in the body and tight in the chest. I guess it depends on if you are going to wear it zipped or with thicker clothing underneath.

-Nebraska

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:53 pm

It’s perfect. Do not go bigger. The sleeves are perfect. The only point of contention might be that the body is a tad long for an Indy jacket. Who the frick cares? It looks better that way. Cheers

afrayedknot · Post by **afrayedknot** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:11 pm

I think the length is good for your height. It wouldn't look good on height-challenged people (like myself). It would just make them look more . . . height-challenged. That's why I think it's more important to get the gear that fits you rather than worry too much about screen accuracy.

Hunter Jones · Post by **Hunter Jones** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:36 pm

[Cheeky remark]

Your right, it doesn't fit right. Send it to me and I'll break it in for you for the next, say, 25 years.

[/Cheeky remark]

Seriously though, that is one good looking jacket and it looks good on you.

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:55 pm

What does the jacket measure from armpit to armpit when its zipped
up and laying flat?

Double this number, and compare it to your actual bodies chest measurement.

If the jacket is more than 4 inches bigger than your chest, you are good
to go, as that is a prefered military fit or bigger.

If its 2 or 3 inches bigger, you have a very form fitting jacket on your
hands, and you may want to go one size up.

But remember, this is a leather jacket, and it will NOT stretch like a
cloth jacket when you put your arms back like in this picture:

But again, if YOU don't like the way it feels on you, then you are not
going to want to wear it, and it will just sit in your closet collecting dust,
and you will hate it every time you open the closet door.

Flathead

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:15 pm

Soaked it, worn it around all night, even slept in it (hey, didn't Nadoolman say that it needed to look like a jacket Harrison slept in anyway?), woke up the next morning with a flu, threw up on it (though that wasn't part of the original plan), left it in my car in the sun to continue drying, and applied leather treatment. I'm much happier with it now (though I do wish there weren't pink "Pepto Bismal" spots on the liner... oh well).

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:01 pm

-not the jacket- the vomit part...

Post by **Holt** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:07 pm

looks much better

bests
Holt

Han Jones · Post by **Han Jones** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:17 pm

I had the exact same jacket and I sent it back because it was way to tight when it was zipped up. They have changed the LC pattern because I ordered it the exact same LC jacket as I did 5 years ago and the new one had a different collar, cut, and pockets. I think the new LC pattern to be more KotCS.

Tron7960 · Post by **Tron7960** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:58 pm

The jacket looked good before but looks great now!
You look like a cross between Indy and Maverick!

Tron

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:16 pm

Tron7960 wrote:The jacket looked good before but looks great now!
You look like a cross between Indy and Maverick!

Tron

Your just saying that because of the flight suit! I've actually always thought the Indy jacket looks a lot like the USAF A2 (minus the knit cuffs & waist), so it seems to work with the uniform.

Tron7960 · Post by **Tron7960** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:09 pm

Ya, because of the flight suit! (The jacket looks pure Indy, Mavs was a G-1!)

I also slept in mine, no vomit though!

Tron

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:24 pm

Maybe that is what it takes to look SA a little vomit.

Brody, that looks like two different jackets, wow...

How did you soak that jacket, run it through the washer? Looks great I love it.

You said that is a standard jacket, looks very good, nice a baggy now. Definately looks like Indiana Jones wore it. You might be able to the get the stains in the liner out if you use like oxi-clean or something like that. Anyone got any tips on that. Looks great Brody.

IndianaChris

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:08 pm

Wow, looks like a different jacket. Guess vomit does wonders for screen accuracy.

You must be a devoted fan to distress your jacket via stomach acid.

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:23 pm

I once heard that the best way to break in a new pair of leather boots is to take a shower in them. I figured what works for leather shoes must work for leather jackets. I zipped it up, soaked it, stood under the shower head, and stretched like I was going to exercise. It took forever to dry, though. I wore it all evening, all night, left it baking in the car, even threw it in the drier (with no heat). It's still a little damp 2 days later.

As far as the vomit is concerned, I'm not worried. I'll spare you all the gory details, but I only ended up with 5 small drops of vomit; every one on the liner. Most of it came out with a damp rag (unfortunately, this happened after the shower).

Post by **Holt** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:55 pm

the jacket looks great..but I am still a bit lost....

is it a standard raiders cut?no?

or is it made to measure your specs in LC style?looks like it

you say that the collar is too large and pointy....the LC jacket has a larger collar then the two other jackets...

if you bought a standard jacket did you asked for the press studs and larger pocket flaps added on a standard raiders cut?

bests
Holt

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:58 pm

LC standard cut with a few of my specs. When I order my next Wested (in another 15 years) I'll give lots of specs. The only thing I really asked for were elastic straps in the pleats, and an extra 1/4 inch in the sleeves. I do know that the LC collar is larger, but I just didn't expect it to be pointier.

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:42 pm

Nice work. That vomit really did the trick. How is the fit when zipped now especially across the chest?

-Nebraska

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:13 pm

It's still pretty snug. You can see in the distressed photos that there's not any extra material at the armpit. That seam between the chest and sleeves is still tight, but before it was tight as a straight jacket. I think we've all agreed at some point or another that each of us needs a straight jacket, anyway. All the same, it's loose enough that I can comfortably move around now.

TomK · Post by **TomK** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:51 pm

I guess you're asking because you don't feel quite right in it. The same happened to me when I received my first Wested a few weeks ago. I felt it was too short even though it looked similar to the movie fit and my wife quite liked it. I also felt the lambskin was too light and flimsy even though it looked beautiful. So I sent it back, ordered a custom horsehide 3 inches longer in the body and it's a totally different jacket. It may not be "screen accurate" (whatever that means) but for me it's a much comfier, more practical jacket and I love it.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that the length is right, unlike many others I've seen here, but the sleeves are slightly too short and it's too neat across the chest. I'd suggest you exchange it as it's only going to annoy you as you wear it. If indeed you do wear it as you're already uncomfortable with it. Remember you're not Harrison Ford and you're not buying it to go to a fancy dress party dressed as him. You're buying it as working leather jacket based on the movie jacket and you have to feel right in it for a few years to come.

Ozraptor · Post by **Ozraptor** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:19 am

Looks pretty good, if a bit long compared to the one on Ford. I'm very skeptical of washing them now, although I did the same to mine!

I think you should just wear the @#$% out of it in as many different harsh situations as possible, apply leather care, and let it distress that way! Wear it in the rain, etc. It would probably look more natural that way.

Tron7960 · Post by **Tron7960** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:18 am

I'm pretty sure TomK's suggestion about exchanging it is no longer an option!

TomK · Post by **TomK** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:30 am

Tron7960 you're right of course! I'd missed a couple of key posts.